Light and light sensor

ABSTRACT

An LED-based light includes one or more LEDs, a sensor arranged to detect a brightness level in an area resulting from the combination of light emitted by the LEDs with light from at least one ambient light source other than the LEDs, and operable to output a signal corresponding to the detected brightness level, a controller operable to regulate an amount of power provided to the LEDs in response to the signal, a light transmitting housing for the LEDs, the sensor and the controller and a connector shaped for connection with a light socket disposed at an end of the housing.

STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/837,251, filed Aug. 27, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/555,838, filed on Nov. 28, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/829,069, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, and now U.S. Pat. No. 8,901,823, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/690,609, filed Nov. 30, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,946,996, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/572,471, filed Oct. 2, 2009, and now U.S. Pat. No. 8,324,817, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/108,354 filed Oct. 24, 2008, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

An LED-based light as described herein relates to “smart buildings” that can automatically control lighting in response to various environmental conditions.

BACKGROUND

Lights in buildings are generally controlled by switches, such as wall-mounted switches in the vicinity of one or more lights. The switch can include a dimmer for varying the brightness of one or more lights. However, lights are often left on when not needed, such as when no people are around the lights or when sources of light besides the lights (e.g., sunlight passing through windows and/or skylights) provide sufficient illumination.

SUMMARY

Known smart buildings that can automatically control various environmental characteristics, such as a lighting brightness level, of one or more rooms of a building are typically expensive to manufacture and install. For example, known smart building components typically are not compatible with standard building fixtures, such as conventional fluorescent tube fixtures, and thus can require an electrician to install.

Embodiments of LED-based lights described herein can be used to transform a building with standard fixtures, such as standard fluorescent tube fixtures, into a smart building. Many advantages are offered by the LED-based lights described herein, such as allowing for a low-cost smart building and automatically providing an alert when an efficiency of the LED-based light becomes too low.

In one embodiment, an LED-based light includes one or more LEDs, a sensor arranged to detect a brightness level in an area resulting from the combination of light emitted by the LEDs with light from at least one ambient light source other than the LEDs, and operable to output a signal corresponding to the detected brightness level, a controller operable to regulate an amount of power provided to the LEDs in response to the signal, a light transmitting housing for the LEDs, the sensor and the controller and a connector shaped for connection with a light socket disposed at an end of the housing.

In another embodiment, a system for estimating an efficiency of LEDs in an LED-based light comprises an LED-based light including one or more LEDs, a sensor arranged to detect a brightness level in an area resulting from the light emitted by the LEDs, and operable to output a signal corresponding to the detected brightness level, a light transmitting housing for the LEDs and the sensor, and a connector shaped for connection with a light socket disposed at an end of the housing; and a controller operable to estimate an efficiency of the LEDs at least partially based on a comparison of a brightness level detected by the sensor while the LEDs are operational with a power consumption of the LEDs.

In another embodiment, an LED-based light comprises one or more LEDs, a sensor arranged to detect a brightness level in an area resulting from the light emitted by the LEDs, and operable to output a signal corresponding to the detected brightness level, a controller operable to estimate an efficiency of the LEDs at least partially based on the brightness level detected by the sensor while the LEDs are operational, a transmitter operable to transmit the estimated efficiency of the LEDs, a light transmitting housing for the LEDs, the sensor, the controller and the transmitter and a connector shaped for connection with a light socket disposed at an end of the housing.

These and other embodiments will be described in additional detail hereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an LED light tube;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a smart building system;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of yet another example of an LED light tube;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operation of an example of an LED light tube;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of another example of a smart building system; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operation of multiple LED light tubes.

DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6 are discussed in reference to a light and a light sensor. As shown in FIG. 1, a light fixture 14 can accept an LED-based light 16. The light fixture 14 can be designed to accept standard fluorescent tubes, such as a T-5, T-8, or T-12 fluorescent tube, or other standard sized light, such as incandescent bulbs. Alternatively, the fixture 14 can be designed to accept non-standard sized lights, such as lights installed by an electrician.

The LED light tube 16 can include a housing 22, a circuit board 24, LEDs 26, a pair of end caps 28, a controller 25, and a receiver 27 as shown in FIG. 1. The housing 22 as shown in FIG. 1 is a light transmitting cylindrical tube. The housing 22 can be made from polycarbonate, acrylic, glass or another light transmitting material (i.e., the housing 22 can be transparent or translucent). For example, a translucent housing 22 can be made from a composite, such as polycarbonate with particles of a light refracting material interspersed in the polycarbonate. While the illustrated housing 22 is cylindrical, housings having a square, triangular, polygonal, or other cross sectional shape can alternatively be used. Similarly, while the illustrated housing 22 is linear, housings having an alternative shape, e.g., a U-shape or a circular shape can alternatively be used. Additionally, the housing 22 need not be a single piece as shown in FIG. 1. Instead, another example of a housing can be formed by attaching multiple individual parts, not all of which need be light transmitting. For example, such a housing can include an opaque lower portion and a lens or other transparent cover attached to the lower portion to cover the LEDs 26. The housing 22 can be manufactured to include light diffusing or refracting properties, such as by surface roughening or applying a diffusing film to the housing 22. For compatibility with the fixture 14 as discussed above, the housing 22 can have a length such that the light 16 is approximately 48″ long, and the housing 22 can have a 0.625″, 1.0″, or 1.5″ diameter.

The circuit board 24 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is an elongate printed circuit board. Multiple circuit board sections can be joined by bridge connectors to create the circuit board 24. The circuit board 24 as shown in FIG. 1 is slidably engaged with the housing 22, though the circuit board 24 can alternatively be clipped, adhered, snap- or friction-fit, screwed or otherwise connected to the housing 22. For example, the circuit board 24 can be mounted on a heat sink that is attached to the housing 22. Also, other types of circuit boards may be used, such as a metal core circuit board. Or, instead of a circuit board 24, other types of electrical connections (e.g., wires) can be used to electrically connect the LEDs 26 to a power source.

The light 16 can include two bi-pin end caps 28 (i.e., each end cap 28 can carry two pins), one at each longitudinal end of the housing 22, for physically and electrically connecting the light 16 to the fixture 14. The end caps 28 can be the sole physical connection between the light 16 and the fixture 14. The end caps 28 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 24 to provide power to the LEDs 26. Each end cap 28 can include two pins, though two of the total four pins can be “dummy pins” that do not provide an electrical connection. Alternatively, other types of electrical connectors can be used, such as an end cap carrying a single pin. Also, while the end caps 28 are shown as including cup-shaped bodies, the end caps 28 can have a different configuration (e.g., the end caps 28 can be shaped to be press fit into the housing 22). One or both of the end caps 28 can additionally include electric components, such as a rectifier and filter.

The LEDs 26 can be surface-mount devices of a type available from Nichia, though other types of LEDs can alternatively be used. For example, although surface-mounted LEDs 26 are shown, one or more organic LEDs can be used in place of or in addition thereto. The LEDs 26 can be mounted to the circuit board 24 by solder, a snap-fit connection, or other means. The LEDs 26 can produce white light. However, LEDs that produce blue light, ultra-violet light or other wavelengths of light can be used in place of white light emitting LEDs 26.

The number of LEDs 26 can be a function of the desired power of the light 16 and the power of the LEDs 26. For a 48″ light, such as the light 16, the number of LEDs 26 can vary from about five to four hundred such that the light 16 outputs approximately 500 to 3,000 lumens. However, a different number of LEDs 26 can alternatively be used, and the light 16 can output a different amount of lumens. The LEDs 26 can be evenly spaced along the circuit board 24, and the spacing of the LEDs 26 can be determined based on, for example, the light distribution of each LED 26 and the number of LEDs 26.

The controller 25 can be mounted on the circuit board 24, and can include a memory and a CPU for executing a program stored on the memory. That is, the controller 26 can be include a microprocessor or other digital or analog circuit that performs the tasks described herein. The controller 25 can be in communication with the LEDs 26, the end caps 28, and the receiver 27 via the circuit board 24, though the controller 25 can alternatively be in communication with the LEDs 26, end caps 28, and/or receiver 27 using wires or another connection. The controller 25 can also be configured to regulate the amount of power provided to the LEDs 26. That is, the controller 28 can govern the amount of power provided from the end caps 28 to the LEDs 26. The controller 28 can be in communication with multiple subsets of LEDs 26 (such as individual LEDs 26) for providing a different amount of power to one or more of the subsets of LEDs 26. Alternatively, a controller can be external of the light 16. For example, a controller can be coupled to the fixture 14 to control a light attached to the fixture 14.

The light 16 can additionally include a receiver 27 mounted on the circuit board 24. The receiver 27 can be in communication with the controller 25 as mentioned above and with a remote transmitter as is discussed below in greater detail. For example, the receiver 27 can be in communication with the transmitter using a standard wireless protocol (e.g., a radio standard, a cellular standard such as 3G, Bluetooth, or WiFi). The receiver 27 can alternatively be in communication with the transmitter in another manner such as hardwiring or via electric signals sent through the end caps 28. The receiver 27 can be configured to receive signals from the transmitter, and the receiver 25 can transmit received signals to the controller 25.

While the light 16 is shown as being compatible with standard sized fluorescent fixtures, an LED-based light having another shape, such as an incandescent bulb or another type of light, can alternatively be used. Also, other types of light sources, such as fluorescent or incandescent based light sources, can be used instead of the LEDs 26.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fixture 14 can be in a building 11 including a light switch 31 and a light sensor 33, and the light 16 can be installed in the fixture 14. The light switch 31 can control whether power is provided to the fixture 14. However, as is mentioned above and described below in greater detail, the controller 25 can control whether power is provided to the LEDs 26, in which case the light switch 31 need not be included. Also, if the building 11 is a “smart” building, the controller 25 and switch 31 can be in communication (e.g., via a wired connection, or via a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver) such that the controller 25 can override the switch 31 to turn on the light 16 even when the switch 31 is in an off position or vice versa.

The light sensor 33 can detect a level of light in an area of the building 11 including the light 16, such as an amount of light that strikes the sensor 33. The light sensor 33 can include an integral transmitter for transmitting a light level signal α to the receiver 27. The light sensor 33 can continuously transmit the signal, or the light sensor 33 can include a controller (e.g., a controller including a memory and a CPU for executing a program stored on the memory) for deciding when to transmit the signal. In addition to the light sensor 33, other sensors can be in communication with the light 16. For example, the building 11 can also include a motion sensor, a sensor for determining whether a door is ajar, a sensor for determining when a keypad or other type of lock is actuated, a voice-activated sensor, a clock or calendar, a light sensor for measuring an amount of light in the building 11 other than or including light provided by the light 16 (e.g., an amount of sunlight entering the building 11), a power supply monitor, and/or another type of sensor.

In operation, as shown by in FIG. 4, the light 16 produces light in step S1. In step S2 the light sensor 33 can measure the amount of light that strikes the sensor 33, and the light sensor 33 can transmit the light level signal α to the receiver 27 as shown in step S3. The receiver 27 can communicate the light level signal α to the controller 25 as shown in step S4.

In step S5, the controller 25 can analyze the light level signal α. For example, the controller 25 can estimate a brightness of an area of the building 11 including the light 16, the controller 25 can compare the light level to a predetermined value (e.g., an amount of light comfortable for an ordinary person), or can analyze the light level signal α in some other manner. Depending on the light level signal α, the controller 25 can control the light 16 in various ways. For example, as shown in step S6, the controller 25 can adjust the brightness of light produced by the LEDs 26. If the light level signal α indicates the amount of light detected is too high, the controller 25 can dim the LEDs 26 or turn a subset of the LEDs 26 off. Alternatively, if the amount of light is too low, the controller 25 can increase the brightness of the LEDs 26 or turn on a subset of the LEDs 26 that were previously off. Thus, the controller 25 can correct the amount of light provided by the light 16 in response to changes in ambient light, such as if a level of natural light entering the area of the building 11 including the light 16 increases or decreases, or if other lights are turned on or off.

In another example not illustrated, the light 16 can initially not be producing light. The controller 25 can control the light 16 to begin producing light in response to the light level signal α. For example, the light level signal α can indicate that the amount of light in an area of the building 11 is below a predetermined level.

To avoid interference with the light sensor 33 by the light emitted by the LEDs 26, the light sensor 33 can sense ambient light during a short period, invisible to the eye, when the LEDs 26 are off. This short off period can occur due to line voltage zero-crossing, or a command from the controller 25.

Therefore, among other advantages, an occupant of the area of the building 11 including the light 16 can avoid having to make an effort to turn on the light.

Returning to FIG. 4, as another example of operation of the light 16 shown in step S7, the light level signal α can be analyzed by the controller 25 to determine an efficiency of the light 16. For example, the controller 25 can compare the amount of detected light with a reference value, such as an amount of light detected at a previous date if the light 16 includes a clock and/or calendar. The previous date can be a date when conditions such as ambient light conditions were similar, such as a recent day at approximately the same time. The difference between the current amount of light being produced and the previous amount of light being produced can be used to calculate a change in efficiency of the light 16. The controller 25 can make this efficiency determination without turning the light 16 off, which can be beneficial if the light 16 is in a location such as a stairwell where a lack of light can be dangerous. As an alternative efficiency test, the controller 25 can compare the amount of detected light when the light 16 is on with an amount of light detected when the light 16 is off, with the difference being used to calculate an amount of light produced by the light 16.

The controller 25 can calculate the efficiency by comparing the amount of light produced by the light 16 with the reference value (e.g., an amount of light produced by the light 16 operating under ideal conditions), or by comparing the amount of light produced by the light 16 with the amount of power consumed by the light 16 (which can be measured with an ammeter and voltmeter, a wattmeter, or another power measuring device either integral with the light 16, electrically coupled to the fixture 14, or at another location).

As shown in step S8, the controller 25 can also determine whether the light 16 should be replaced. For example, the controller 25 can compare the efficiency of the light 16 with a predetermined value to determine whether the light 16 should be replaced. The predetermined value can be a predetermined efficiency standard, such as the efficiency of the light 16 when new, the efficiency of an ideal light, a maximal output of the light 16, or some other value.

The controller 25 can also control the light 16 to indicate its efficiency, which can provide notice that the light 16 should be replaced. For example, the controller 25 can control the light 16 to display its efficiency using a digital read-out integral with the light 16, a bar of light having a length equivalent with the efficiency, or in another manner. Alternatively, the controller 25 can control the light 16 to display when the efficiency of the light 16 is below a predetermined value, such as by illuminating at least one of the LEDs 26 having a different color than surrounding LEDs 26, by causing at least one of the LEDs 26 to flash, or by controlling the light 16 in some other manner. Once the efficiency of the light 16 drops below the predetermined value, it can be understood that the light 16 should be replaced. Thus, the light 16 can signal to a maintenance worker or other personnel that the light 16 should be replaced.

Another light 40 as shown in FIG. 3 includes the housing 22, the circuit board 24, the controller 25, the LEDs 26, and the end caps 28 similar to the light 16. The light 40 can additionally include an integral light level sensor 42 and a transmitter 44. The light sensor 42 can be mounted on the circuit board 24 to receive power via the end caps 28, and the light sensor 42 can be in communication with the controller 25 and/or the transmitter 44. The light level sensor 42 can protrude from the housing 22 as shown in FIG. 3 or otherwise be positioned to sense an amount of light produced by at least some of the LEDs 26 (e.g., the sensor 42 can alternatively be contained within the housing 22, and one or more reflectors can be included to direct a portion of light toward the sensor 42). Alternatively, the light level sensor 42 can detect an amount of ambient light. The amount of ambient light can include light produced by the LEDs 26. The sensor 42 can communicate the light level signal α to the controller 25.

The transmitter 44 can be mounted on the circuit board 24 for receiving power via the end caps 28. The transmitter 44 can be in communication with the controller 25 and/or the light sensor 24 for receiving the light level signal α. The transmitter 44 can be configured to transmit the light level signal α to a remote location, such as a smart building control center or another smart building component, or to controllers 25 of other lights 16, 40.

With this configuration, the controller 25 in the light 40 can control the LEDs 26 and calculate an efficiency of the light based on the light level signal α as discussed above in reference to the light 16. The light 40 can also indicate whether the light 40 should be replaced similar to as described above in reference to the light 16. Additionally, the inclusion of the transmitter 44 allows the light 40 to perform other functions. The transmitter 44 can transmit the light level signal α to the remote location, allowing the light level signal α to be used for controlling another component of a smart building (e.g., window shades, another light, or some other component of a smart building) or for another purpose. For example, the transmitter 44 can transmit an efficiency of the light 40 or an indication that the light 40 should be replaced to the remote location.

The light 40 can also include another sensor, such as a motion detector, in communication with the controller 25 and/or the transmitter 44. In this case, the controller 25 can take signals other than the light level signal α into consideration in controlling the LEDs 26. For example, the controller 25 can turn the LEDs 26 off even though the light level sensor 42 detects a low level of light if the motion sensor has not detected movement for a certain amount of time. As a similar example, the controller 25 can turn the LEDs 26 off even though the light level sensor 42 detects a low level of light if a clock or calendar in communication with the controller 25 indicates the time is not during standard working hours.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, multiple fixtures 14 can be in the building 11 including the light switch 31 and the light sensor 33, and multiple of the lights 16 and/or 40 described above can be installed in the fixtures 14. Each light 16, 40 may include a controller 25 configured to regulate the amount of power provided to the respective LEDs 26, as described above. The controllers 25 can be external of the lights 16, 40, for example, coupled to a fixture 14 to control a light 16, 40 attached to the fixture 14. It will be understood that a controller 25 can be provided that performs the tasks described herein with respect to multiple of the lights 16, 40, for example, those installed in a common fixture 14.

In operation, as shown by in FIG. 6, one or more of the lights 16, 40 produce light in step S61. In step S62, the light sensor 33 can measure the amount of light that strikes the sensor 33, and transmit a light level signal α to one or more of the lights 16, 40. In addition, or in the alternative, if a light 40 is installed, the light sensor 42 of the light 40 can measure the amount of light that strikes the sensor 42, and transmit a light level signal α. It can therefore be seen that the light level signals α in this example may be generated by a remote sensor 33, or by a light sensor 42 of a light 40. Additionally, the light level signals α may be a function of multiple of the lights 16 and/or 40. Each signal light level signal α may be indicative of the light produced by one light 16, 40, multiple lights 16, 40 or all lights 16, 40, and collectively, the light level signals α are indicative of the overall lighting conditions in the building 11. The light level signal α (or optionally multiple light level signals α of more than one sensor 33, 42, depending upon the specific configuration for the building 11) can be transmitted to one or more of the receivers 27 as shown in step S63.

The receivers 27 can communicate the light level signal(s) α to the controllers 25 for processing and analysis as shown in step S64. In one example, multiple controllers 25 (e.g., one controller 25 for each light 16, 40) may exist in the system. The signal(s) α may be used among the controllers 25 to generate control signals indicative of the desired control for the LEDs 26 of the respective lights 16, 40 according to the operations described herein. For instance, each of the respective controllers 25 of the lights 16, 40 may communicatively receive one or more of the signals α for individual analysis, as generally described above, and then control the LEDs 26 of the respective lights 16, 40. This analysis and control may be performed collaboratively with respect to the analysis and control of other controllers 25, for instance. Alternatively, fewer than all of the controllers 25 can be perform certain of the tasks described herein, and can communicate with other controllers 25 of the respective lights 16, 40 to effect control of the LEDs 26, for instance, via transmitters 44 and receivers 27. However, in another example, the lights 16, 40 need not have individual controllers 25 where, for instance, a controller 25 is external of the lights 16, 40 and coupled to a fixture 14 common to multiple lights 16, 40.

In step S65, the one or more light level signals α are analyzed by the controllers 25. For example, the brightness of an area of the building 11 including the lights 16, 40 can be estimated, and the light level can be compared to a predetermined value (e.g., an amount of light comfortable for an ordinary person), or the light level signal(s) α can be analyzed in some other manner. The light level signals α may be analyzed to estimate an overall brightness of the area of the building 11, for example, or could be analyzed to estimate multiple brightness levels within the area. Depending on the light level signal(s) α, the lights 16, 40 may be controlled in various ways. For example, as shown in step S66, the controllers 25 can collectively function to adjust the brightness of light produced by the LEDs 26 of the lights 16, 40. With respect to each of the individual lights 16, 40, if the amount of light detected is too high, a controller 25 can dim the LEDs 26 or turn a subset of the LEDs 26 off. Alternatively, if the amount of light is too low, a controller 25 can increase the brightness of the LEDs 26 or turn on a subset of the LEDs 26 that were previously off. A control scheme accounting for multiple of the lights 16, 40 may also cause the LEDs 26 of one or more lights 16, 40 to be dimmed or brightened, or turned on or off, in accordance with a desired brightness level. Thus, the controllers 25 can collectively correct the amount of light provided by the lights 16, 40 in response to changes in ambient light, such as if a level of natural light entering the area of the building 11 including the lights 16, 40 increases or decreases, or if other lights are turned on or off.

In another example not illustrated, one or more of the lights 16, 40 can initially not be producing light. The controllers 25 can control the light 16, 40 to begin producing light in response to the light level signal(s) α. For example, the light level signal(s) α can indicate that the amount of light in an area of the building 11 is below a predetermined level.

To avoid interference with the light sensors 33, 42 by the light emitted by the LEDs 26 of the lights 16, 40, the light sensors 33, 42 can sense ambient light during a short period, invisible to the eye, when the LEDs 26 are off. This short off period can occur due to line voltage zero-crossing, or via commands from the controllers 25.

Therefore, among other advantages, an occupant of the area of the building 11 including the light 16, 40 can avoid having to make an effort to turn on the lights.

In FIG. 6, as another example of operation of the lights 16, 40 shown in step S67, the light level signal(s) α can be analyzed to determine an efficiency of the lights 16, 40, either individually or on a collective basis. For example, the controllers 25 can collectively function to compare the amount of detected light with a reference value, such as an amount of light detected at a previous date. The previous date can be a date when conditions such as ambient light conditions were similar, such as a recent day at approximately the same time. The difference between the current amount of light being produced and the previous amount of light being produced can be used to calculate a change in efficiency of the lights 16, 40. The controllers 25 can make this efficiency determination without turning the lights 16, 40 off, which can be beneficial if the lights 16, 40 are in a location such as a stairwell where a lack of light can be dangerous. As an alternative efficiency test, the controllers 25 can compare the amount of detected light when the lights 16, 40 are on with an amount of light detected when the lights 16, 40 are off, with the difference being used to calculate an amount of light produced by the lights 16, 40. The controller 25 can calculate the efficiency by comparing the amount of light produced by the lights 16, 40 with the reference value (e.g., an amount of light produced by the lights 16, 40 operating under ideal conditions), or by comparing the amount of light produced by the lights 16, 40 with the amount of power consumed by the light 16, 40 (which can be measured with an ammeter and voltmeter, a wattmeter, or another power measuring device either integral with the lights 16, 40, electrically coupled to the fixtures 14, or at another location).

It will be understood that the comparisons described above can be completed with respect to individual lights 16, 40, for example, or with respect to subsets of lights 16, 40 or all lights 16, 40 collectively. Where less than all of the lights 16, 40 are under consideration, for instance, the output of those lights 16, 40 may be factored out of the analysis, e.g., by turning the lights 16, 40 off or by otherwise accounting for their light output, power consumption, etc.

As shown in step S68, the controllers 25 can also determine whether one or more of the lights 16, 40 should be replaced. For example, the controller 25 can compare the efficiency of the lights 16, 40 with a predetermined value to determine whether one, some of all of the lights 16, 40 should be replaced. The predetermined value can be a predetermined efficiency standard, such as the efficiency of the lights 16, 40 when new, the efficiency of an ideal light, a maximal output of the lights 16, 40 or some other value. The determination in this step may be made according to individual lights 16, 40, for example, or with respect to subsets of lights 16, 40 or all lights 16, 40 collectively.

As shown in step S69, the controllers 25 can also control the lights 16, 40 to indicate efficiency, which can provide notice that one, some, or all of the lights 16, 40 should be replaced. For example, the controllers 25 can control one or more lights 16, 40 to display efficiency using a digital read-out integral with the lights 16, 40, a bar of light having a length equivalent with the efficiency, or in another manner. Alternatively, the controllers 25 can control the lights 16, 40 to display when the efficiency of the lights 16, 40 is below a predetermined value, such as by illuminating at least one of the LEDs 26 of a respective light 16, 40 having a different color than surrounding LEDs 26, by causing at least one of the LEDs 26 to flash, or by controlling the lights 16, 40 in some other manner. Once the efficiency one or more lights 16, 40 drops below a predetermined value, it can be understood that the lights 16, 40 should be replaced. Thus, the lights 16, 40 can signal to a maintenance worker or other personnel when one or more of the lights 16, 40 should be replaced. Once again, it will be understood that the indication of efficiency in this step may be made according to individual lights 16, 40, for example, or with respect to subsets of lights 16, 40 or all lights 16, 40 collectively.

The above-described embodiments have been described in order to allow easy understanding of the invention and do not limit the invention. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structure as is permitted under the law. 

What is claimed:
 1. A system, comprising: an LED-based lighting device comprising: a housing; one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed within the housing; and a connector coupled to an end of the housing, wherein the connector is configured to engage with a light socket; a sensor configured to: determine a brightness level of light during operation of the LED-based lighting device, and output a signal corresponding to the determined brightness level; and a controller configured to estimate an efficiency of the one or more LEDs based on the signal.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to determine the brightness level of light by: detecting at least an amount of light emitted by the one or more LEDs.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to determine the brightness level of light by: detecting at least an amount of light emitted by one or more ambient light sources other than the one more LEDs.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the sensor detects the amount of light emitted by the one or more ambient light sources during a period of time that the one or more LEDs are off.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to provide a line voltage to the one or more LEDs, and wherein the period of time corresponds to a zero-crossing of the line voltage.
 6. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to turn off the one or more LEDs during the period of time.
 7. The system of claim 3, wherein the period of time that the one or more LEDs are off is imperceptible to a human eye.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to estimate the efficiency of the one or more LEDs based on a comparison of a brightness level detected by the sensor while the one or more LEDs are on with a reference brightness level.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to estimate the efficiency of the one or more LEDs based on a comparison of a brightness level detected by the sensor while the one or more LEDs are on with a power consumption of the one or more LEDs.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to activate an alarm when the estimated efficiency of the one or more LEDs is below a predetermined amount.
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit an indication of the estimated efficiency of the one or more LEDs.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the transmitter to further configured to transmit an indication of the brightness level detected by the sensor.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor and the controller are each disposed in the housing.
 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second LED-based lighting device, wherein the second LED-based lighting device comprises: a second housing: one or more second LEDs disposed within the second housing; and a second connector coupled to an end of the second housing, wherein the second connector is configured to engage with a second light socket, wherein the LED-based lighting device and the second LED-based lighting device are each configured to produce light in an area, wherein the sensor is disposed external to the housing and the second housing, and is configured to: determine the brightness level of light in the area during operation of the LED-based lighting device and the second LED-based lighting device, and output a signal corresponding to the determined brightness level of light in the area, and wherein the controller is configured to estimate an efficiency of the one or more LEDs and the one or more second LEDs based on the signal corresponding to the determined brightness level of light in the area.
 15. A method, comprising: providing, using a controller, a line voltage to one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) of a LED-based light device; turning off the one or more LEDs during a period of time, wherein the period of time that the one or more LEDs are off corresponds to a zero-crossing of the line voltage, and wherein the period of time that the one or more LEDs are off is imperceptible to a human eye; determining, using a sensor, a brightness level of light during operation of the LED-based lighting device, wherein determining the brightness level of light comprises detecting at least an amount of light emitted by the one or more LEDs and an amount of light emitted by one or more ambient light sources other than the one more LEDs, and wherein the amount of light emitted by the one or more ambient light sources is detected during the period of time that the one or more LEDs are off; outputting a signal corresponding to the determined brightness level; estimating, using the controller, an efficiency of the one or more LEDs based on the signal, wherein estimating the efficiency of one or more LEDs comprises estimating the efficiency of the one or more LEDs based on a comparison of a brightness level detected by the sensor while the one or more LEDs are on with a reference brightness level.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: estimating, using the controller, the efficiency of the one or more LEDs based on a comparison of a brightness level detected by the sensor while the one or more LEDs are on with a power consumption of the one or more LEDs.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: activating, using the controller, an alarm when the estimated efficiency of the one or more LEDs is below a predetermined amount.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: transmitting, using a transmitter, an indication of the estimated efficiency of the one or more LEDs.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: transmitting, using the transmitter, an indication of the brightness level detected by the sensor.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the sensor and the controller are each disposed in a housing of the LED-based light.
 21. A method, comprising: determining, using a sensor, a brightness level of light during operation of an LED-based lighting device; outputting a signal corresponding to the determined brightness level; estimating, using a controller, an efficiency of one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) of the LED-based lighting device based on the signal; determining, using the sensor, a brightness level of light in an area during operation of the LED-based lighting device and a second LED-based lighting device, wherein the LED-based lighting device and the second LED-based lighting device are each configured to produce light in the area; outputting a signal corresponding to the determined brightness level in the area; estimating, using the controller, an efficiency of the one or more LEDs of the LED-based lighting device and one or more second LEDs of the second LED-based lighting device based on the signal corresponding to the determined second brightness level in the area. 